Satchmo At the Waldorf

Off Broadway-at The Westside Theatre


Well Helloooooooo Dolly. Don’t we all remember Louis Armstrong for this. He evidently thought the song was “shit” according to this play, but he kept playing it because the audience went crazy when he sang and played it. But if you think this show is going to bring back all the music of Satchmo, you would be wrong.

This production was very short on song, but very long on the very interesting story of Louis Armstrong’s relationship with his manager, Joe Glaser. It takes place in 1971 from Satchmo’s dressing room at the Waldorf. It’s very strong performance by John Douglas Thompson who plays both the Armstrong and Glaser roles (and a few other minor roles)

This was an honest portrayal, where sometimes the truth can be uncomfortable. I heard some grumbles from people coming out of the theatre “this is not going to help race relations!!!” I am not going to agree on that point, but only say that it was a poignant reminder of how things were back in the day. This Broadsway says see it if you want to hear about how Glaser screwed over Armstrong. Or did he? -thisbraodSway 3/12/14